Integrated parachute harness for supporting a reserve parachute system

ABSTRACT

A parachute harness which has an integral arrangement of webbing straps including a quick releasable means to support the wearer to a main parachute pack and also including quickly detachable means to secure a reserve parachute pack.

United States Patent [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS [72]Inventor Mathais N. Ternes El Centro, Calif.

Au 8 t n e w r B. e r s a a .w r e m A f 0 S e t 9 m 61 mg 91. 0in 0 Uan 088- SFFT 0 6 mm I g P ei pkmfi AFPA 111]] 253 7.247 [[11 by theSecretary of the Navy Primary ExaminerMilton Buchler AssistantExaminer-James E. Pittenger [54] INTEGRATED PARACHUTE H ES FORAttorneys-J. C. Warfield, J1. and George J. Rubens SUPPORTING A RESERVEPARACHUTE SYSTEM 6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

ABSTRACT: A parachute harness which has an integral ar- 10 5 mm d 4 6 Bparachute pack and Int. [50] Field ofSearch...v............................

244/ 151, also including quickly detachable means to secure a reserveparachute pack.

PATENTEUFEB 2mm 3,559,932

sum 1 OF 2 INVENTOR. MA THA IS N. 7' E RNES ATTORNEYS PATENTED FEB 2i97|v 559,932

sum 2 OF 2 INVENTOR.

MA THA 5 IV. TER/VES A TTOR/VEYS INTEGRATED PARACI'IUTE HARNESS FORSUPPORTING A RESERVE PARACHUTE SYSTEM STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTERESTThe invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or forthe Government of the United States of America for governmental purposeswithout the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Although it is recognized that the presentinvention may have various uses. the use for which it is particularlyintended is in an integrated parachute system wherein the parachuteassembly normally remains in the aircraft being connected to an ejectionseat and is attached to the harness worn by the user when he strapshimself in the aircraft.

Integrated parachute systems have been employed as the primary escapesystem for high performance military aircraft since the advent ofejection seats. These systems in addition to providing for the mainparachute system also include a plurality of subsystems, such asfloration, survival, and locater aids, which are attached to theparachute harness in various ways. During the testing procedures for newparachute designs an additional reserve parachute subsystem is necessarywhich is not normally included in the design of a basic parachutesystem.

To accommodate the reserve parachute system it was necessary at the testfacility to use another harness in addition to the main parachuteharness. The use of two separate harnesses, one for the main parachuteto be tested, and another harness for the reserve parachute made thesling equipment bulky, cumbersome and created uneven seat surfaces forthe jumper. In addition, the use of two harnesses produced variouspressure areas on the body of the jumper which induce discomfort andfatigue and had a debilitory effect on the test jumpers performance,endurance, and overall effectiveness of the test mission. The additionalwebbing and fittings also presented a safety problem during waterlandings or landings in high wind conditions that required extramanipulative efforts and necessitated special training for the testjumpers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The parachute harness of the present inventionprovides a single integrated arrangement of webbing and fittings forattachment of both a main parachute pack and the attachment of a reserveparachute pack should one be necessary for any reason, such as duringtest drops. The harness comprises essentially two interconnected strapsystems, a primary strap system for supporting the legs, lap and sidesof the user and a secondary strap system that restrains the shouldersand back of the user. The primary strap system can be a continuoussingle strap that is anchored to both the main parachute detachableconnecting means and the reserve parachute detachable connecting means.The secondary strap system is also a single strap that extends aroundthe shoulders and back of the user and is secured at its ends to themain strap system by the same special keepers that secure the main strapsystem to the respective parachute connecting means. Adapter fittingsslidably interconnect the primary and secondary strap systems at theback portion of the harness whereby tightening of the primary strapsystem tightens the secondary strap system around the shoulders throughthe adapter fittings. The primary strap system is provided with a laprestraint strap with a loop fitting at eachend for attachment of the laprestraint webbing and a survival kit. The novel parachute harness can beintegrally incorporated in a conventional torso suit in which suitableopenings can be provided to permit the main and reserve parachuteconnecting means to protrude freely for attachment of the respectiveparachute packs.

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS OF INVENTION A principal object of the invention isto provide a single parachute harness which is capable of supportingboth a main parachute pack and a reserve parachute pack, eliminating theneed for a separate harness for each parachute system.

A corollary object is to provide such a composite parachute harness thatis simple in construction, having a reduced number of parts, thatreduces to a minimum any discomfort to the wearer and simplifiespreparation time.

Another important object is to provide a parachute harness which iscapable of being incorporated in an integrated parachute system.

Still another important object is to reduce the weight and bulk of aparachute harness thereby reducing pressure points on the body of theuser and the fatigue element associated with flying and testingparachutes to enhance test results.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description of the inventionwhen considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: I

FIG. 1 shows a front elevation view of the novel parachute harness withthe multilayered portions of webbing shown in perspective and the cheststrap in an unfastened position.

FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic longitudinal section taken along line 11-11of FIG. 1 with the webbing layers slightly exploded to show theirarrangement; and FIGS. 3 and 4 show diagrammatic cross-sectional viewstaken along lines III-III and IV-IV, respectively, of the side strap ofthe parachute of FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawings where like reference numerals refer to similarparts throughout the FIGS. there is shown in FIG. 1 a parachute harness10 that is particularly suited for use in an integrated parachutesystem, although the torso suit with which the parachute harness isnormally associated is not illustrated. Harness 10 essentially comprisestwo interconnected strap system fabricated of conventional webbingmaterial, namely, a primary strap suspension system 12 which supportsthe lower portion of the users body and a secondary strap system 14which supports the shoulder and back portions of the user.

Primary strap system 12 consists of a single continuous main strap 16that zigzags around through the harness, from one longitudinal side tothe other in a manner presently to be described. Commencing from thelongitudinal centerline of the harness only the left side of theillustrated harness need to be described as the two dies sides aremirror images, one minor difference will be noted.

Main sling strap 16 includes an upwardly and downwardly extending leg orriser portions 18 and 20, respectively, having lateral ends sewntogether at 22 at their lower portion to form a double width seat sling24 for comfortable supporting of the jumper. As best shown in FIG. 2 theupper portions of legs 18 and 20 form side straps of the parachute beingcontinuously looped around the link 26 for connecting and quick releaseof a main parachute pack and snubbed around an intermediately positionedD-ring 28 for the quick attachment of a reserve parachute pack, neitherparachute packs being illustrated. D- rings 28 are preferably located atthe right and left subclavicular portion'of the jumpers body. Chaffingwebbing 30 and 32- are wrapped around link 26 and D-ring 28,respectively, to minimize wear on sling strap, and a reinforcement strap34 interposed between leg portions 18 and 20 of the main sling andchaffing webbing 32 of D-ring 28. Chaffing webbing 30 serves also as areinforcement strap for link 26. Each assembly of superimposed strapsare sewn together at 36 and 38 and are snubbed together adjacent link 26and D-ring 28 by keeper straps 40 and 42, respectively, which arewrapped around and sewn to the strap assemblies (see FIGS. 3 and 4).Portions of the side straps are left unsewn to provide channels 44 and46 slidably to receive the other end of the main strap in a mannerpresently to be described.

Leg 18 of main sling strap continues down and around. being part of theseat 24. to the right side of the parachute harness and upwardly andaround in a duplicate path to that described The lower portion of mainstrap leg 20 projects upwardly and forwardly to form a leg strap loop 48and then freely passes through channel 46 between side straps. In azigzag pattern, leg 20 continues upward forming a hip restraining loop52 and is then reeved through a corresponding back adapter fitting 50which reverses its direction and is threaded through slot 44 to form achest restraining loop 54 finally terminating in strap end 56. Strap end56 is adapted to be connected to a buckle 58 which terminates that endof strap 16 which extends on the right side of harness 10, the ends ofthe straps being the only differences between the two sides of theharness. The combination of the hip restraining loop 52 and chestrestraining loop 54 may be called collectively a torso restrainingportion of the sling.

The secondary strap system 14 comprises a relatively short length strap60 which is threadedly attached to the primary strap system 12 by sewing38 and keeper straps 40 and 42. Strap 60 extends upwardly from thepoints of attachment and crosses itself from right and left sides of theharness to form shoulder-restraining loops 62 being threaded throughback adapter fittings 50 to form a back-supporting strap portion 64.

A lap restraint strap 66 is sewn at 68 to a supporting strap 70 securedto both leg strap loops 48. Strap 66 terminates at both ends in links 72by which is attached the lap belt restraint system of the parachute andthe survival kit (not shown) normally used in high performance aircraft.

The novel invention provides a single integrated parachute harness whichis simplified and lighter in weight and accommodates both a mainparachute, such as one to be tested, and a reserve parachute foremergency use should the test parachute fail. The novel arrangement ofstrap webbing and fittings eliminates bulk and uneven surfaces at theseat sling and at other pressure points and provides a more comfortablefitting suit that reduces discomfort and fatigue to the wearer. Inaddition to the above advantages, elimination of a separate harness forthe reserve parachute reduces the number of parachute harness systemsthat need be maintained by the testing activity, thereby reducingmonetary investment as well as simplifying preflight inspection andtraining.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the concept of the presentinvention, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallydescribed.

lclaim:

l. A parachute harness comprising:

a suspension sling section for supporting the user including a pair ofside straps;

a shoulder strap section secured to said side straps;

a pair of fasteners longitudinally positioned in spaced relation on eachside strap for connection to a main parachute and a reserve parachuterespectively;

each of side straps having a looped portion secured through saidrespective fasteners with two downwardly extending leg portions;

an end of one leg portion being looped upwardly to form a laprestraining portion and a torso restraining portion;

the end of the other leg portion extending transversely the sling to beintegral with the corresponding leg portion of the other side strap;

whereby the sling portion including the side straps, the lap restrainingportions, and the torso restraining portions are fabricated of a single,continuous length of strap.

2. The parachute harness of claim 1 wherein said lap restrainingportions are connected together by a strap secured therebetween havingconnector rings for the attachment of accessory equipment.

3. The parachute of claim 1 wherein intermediate areas of said legportions are secured together in juxtaposition to form a seat portion inthe slim of double strap width.

4. he parachute 0 claim 1 wherein the ends of the shoulder strap sectionare threaded through the respective fasteners on each side strap and aresecured thereto.

5. The parachute of claim 4 wherein each torso restraining strap portionis loosely connected to the shoulder strap section by a ring to permitrelative adjustment.

6. In a parachute harness having a suspension sling section and ashoulder strap section, said suspension sling section including:

a pair of identical side straps, one for each side of the sling;

each side strap having a looped portion with two downwardly extendingleg portions;

intermediate areas of said leg portions being secured together injuxtaposition to form a seat portion of double strap width;

an end of one leg being looped upwardly to form a lap restrainingsection;

the end of the other leg extending transversely the harness to the otherside strap to be integral with the corresponding leg strap;

whereby the suspension sling section is fabricated of a single,continuous length of strap.

1. A parachute harness comprising: a suspension sling section forsupporting the user including a pair of side straps; a shoulder strapsection secured to said side straps; a pair of fasteners longitudinallypositioned in spaced relation on each side strap for connection to amain parachute and a reserve parachute respectively; each of side strapshaving a looped portion secured through said respective fasteners withtwo downwardly extending leg portions; an end of one leg portion beinglooped upwardly to form a lap restraining portion and a torsorestraining porTion; the end of the other leg portion extendingtransversely the sling to be integral with the corresponding leg portionof the other side strap; whereby the sling portion including the sidestraps, the lap restraining portions, and the torso restraining portionsare fabricated of a single, continuous length of strap.
 2. The parachuteharness of claim 1 wherein said lap restraining portions are connectedtogether by a strap secured therebetween having connector rings for theattachment of accessory equipment.
 3. The parachute of claim 1 whereinintermediate areas of said leg portions are secured together injuxtaposition to form a seat portion in the sling of double strap width.4. The parachute of claim 1 wherein the ends of the shoulder strapsection are threaded through the respective fasteners on each side strapand are secured thereto.
 5. The parachute of claim 4 wherein each torsorestraining strap portion is loosely connected to the shoulder strapsection by a ring to permit relative adjustment.
 6. In a parachuteharness having a suspension sling section and a shoulder strap section,said suspension sling section including: a pair of identical sidestraps, one for each side of the sling; each side strap having a loopedportion with two downwardly extending leg portions; intermediate areasof said leg portions being secured together in juxtaposition to form aseat portion of double strap width; an end of one leg being loopedupwardly to form a lap restraining section; the end of the other legextending transversely the harness to the other side strap to beintegral with the corresponding leg strap; whereby the suspension slingsection is fabricated of a single, continuous length of strap.